Here’s the thing about the south: they don’t mess around when it comes to good food, good hospitality, and good music. The rumors are true, they sure know how to entertain.
Restaurants
Loveless Cafe – get out of downtown and experience a sweet, quiet southern meal. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I went for dinner and got the BBQ pulled pork with mac and cheese, and cucumbers as my side. The apple pie was also delicious.
Milk and Honey – beautiful restaurant, delicious food, crazy busy. Go for an early breakfast. (Seriously, if you don’t want to wait 1-2 hours, get there before 8:30am)
True Food Kitchen – for when you need a break from all the bar food and heavy southern cooking. Amazing, flavorful, healthy dishes. Logs of vegan and gluten-free options but lots of regular options too. The service was great the first time I went–quick but not rushed. I love the Tuscan kale salad and the grilled chicken panini.
Pinewood Social – Go for brunch! Try to make a reservation or get there on the earlier side, but you probably won’t have to get there as early as Milk and Honey. Their brown butter waffle is amazing. The atmosphere is so beautiful, cozy, and welcoming. They even have a community table where you can sit and work for a few hours.
Slim and Huskies – best pizza! I love the Roni, Roni, Roni or the Red Light Special.
Assembly Food Hall – you have to experience the absolute craziness of SoBro (South Broadway) at least once. And before the bars open up, hit up Assembly Food Hall. I guess you could call it a food court but it is so beautifully designed and they have all the Nashville favorites in one spot so you definitely don’t feel like you’re in the food court at a mall. Prince’s Hot Chicken is delish but get the mild if you’re a spice wimp like me. Even better, go with friends and send everyone out to get one of everything. Bring it back to one table and feast like we did. Make sure you stop by Jeni’s for some ice cream when you’re done. I love their crispy butter waffle cones!
Monell’s – delicious food and a really fun experience! There are no menus, you just take a seat at a big 10-person table and they bring out whatever they’re cooking that day. Strangers become friends in a matter of minutes there (because it would be awkward if you didn’t talk to the people sitting next to you) and you really feel like you’re in your southern friend’s home just enjoying a dinner party. It’s so fun! I loved the Wednesday night spread, complete with the yummiest mac and cheese.
What to do when you’re not eating
Live music – You HAVE to go to at least one live music venue while in Nashville–everyone is so talented. Basically just walk down Broadway and pick a restaurant, there will most likely be a lineup but you can look it up before hand to make sure. I also loved going to the Grand Ole Opry. It’s a 15 minute drive from downtown but every act there is so good, it’s well worth it.
Pins Mechanical – down the street from Milk and Honey. Play some duckpin bowling or vintage arcade games. This may sound like a Dave & Buster’s kind of thing but it’s absolutely not. It’s beautiful and super fun. Nashville knows beautiful aesthetics and is very Instagram-able.
The Parthenon, Centennial Park, Vanderbilt University – all clumped in the same area. You can walk around Vandy and just take in the beautiful architecture and history. Then walk around Centennial Park and sit on the swing benches. But most importantly, walk around the Parthenon and pay the $10 to go inside. (I was initially told by some Nashville natives that it was not worth it but I disagree. The giant Athena statue, all the Greek replicas, the art museums, the history displays, and the gift shop were definitely worth it!) You may even get lucky and have some musicians playing on the Parthenon stairs or in Musicians Corner!
Cheekwood – beautiful historic gardens and mansion. They change the garden decor seasonally and it’s just beautiful. Go inside the mansion to see the architecture and designs, then upstairs to see the art galleries.
Belle Meade Stairs – for when you need some exercise and to connect with nature! First, drive through the beautiful Belle Meade neighborhood and look at all the pretty houses. Then, park the car at the bottom of the Belle Meade stairs and climb to the top for a nice view. From there, you can either keep hiking up and all around the giant Percy Warner park system or you can go left or right and meander down the paved path back to your car.